iran

Public policy groups have plans to testify today on Hezbollah’s Latin American expansions before the House Homeland Security subcommittee on counterterrorism and intelligence. Congress will be reviewing its defense options in face of this growing threat of terrorism.

In recent statements on the subject to a Senate committee, Air Force General Douglas Fraser said Iran and Hezbollah are utilizing friendly relations with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Iran is expanding the number of its Latin American embassies, and teaching Islam to residents in the area.  

An Iranian pastor who was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity may only have a few days left to live. The conviction of Youcef Nadarkhani has been upheld and confirmed by the Iranian Supreme Court, and can be carried out at any time. 

While in prison, authorities have use various methods to try to convert Nadarkhani back to Islam, including giving him pills in an attempt to claim he was insane, arresting Nadarkhani’s wife, and threatening to give his children away to a Muslim family. 

Update on this story: Iran's Supreme Court has overturned Nadarkhani’s death sentence, sent the case back to the court in Nadarkhani’s hometown, and asked him to repent. 

He has been sentences to nine years in jail and a 10-year ban on practicing law or teaching for “actions and propaganda against the Islamic regime.” 

Iranian human rights activist and documentary filmmaker Mahnaz Mohammadi was arrested Sunday in Tehran, Iran. The opposition website Kaleme reported that the reasons for her arrest were “unknown.” 

This is Mohammadi’s second arrest. The first was in 2009 as she laid a wreath on the grave of Neda Ahga-Soltan, a young woman who was shot while peacefully protesting the reelection of Ahmadinejad. 

Maryam Majd, a campaigner for rights for women in Iran was also arrested on Friday, and is being held in Evin prison.

While the Islamic Republic flaunts its missiles to the world, it continues to perpetrate human rights violations against its own citizens. 

The UN wishes women worldwide a happy International Women’s Day by adding Iran to the Commission on the Status of Women.

Read more here.

A senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood has praised Iran for unifying the world’s Muslim countries.  

He also said Ahmadinejad is “the bravest man in the Muslim world,” and that Egypt needs “innocent, honest, brave leaders like him.” 

And the Obama administration has said it supports a role for the Muslim Brotherhood in a reformed Egyptian government… 

Iranian authorities, who outspokenly supported the revolution in Egypt, refused to grant permission for yesterday’s rally in Tehran, which was scheduled to show solidarity with the Egyptian people.

The rally turned quickly into an antigovernment demonstration, and Iranian officials responded to protesters with violence. 

One person was killed as police worked to break up the antigovernment protests. 

The protesters chanted “Death to the dictator" and "Mubarak, Ben Ali, now it's Seyed Ali's Turn," referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.  

Hezbollah and its allies won enough support to form Lebanon’s new government, which will be led by Sunni Muslim Najib Mikati.

The victory led to angry protests by Sunnis throughout the country, who accuse Mikati of betraying their community. 

An ally of the U.S. is now controlled by a terrorist organization. How will Washington react?

And how will this change impact the already fragile situation in the Middle East, particularly re: Israel and Iran?

Read more here.

An Imam in D.C. called Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, “the best leader in the world”.   

He probably also thinks we should start stoning and oppressing citizens with differing views, non-Muslims, and women.

Kind of scary that this guy is an influential community leader.

Read more here.

Catholics in Bogor in Indonesia are not allowed to celebrate Christmas Mass.

Christmas festivities were canceled in Iraqi churches.

In the UK, members of an Islamic hate group launched a poster campaign on “the evils of Christmas”.

And in Iran, several Christians prepared to spend Christmas behind bars.

Enjoy the time with your families and friends, but remember those who are not as fortunate.

There is a critical vote taking place at the United Nations TODAY
regarding Iran’s human rights record. It is crucial that we sign Iran180′s petition and
support this resolution which condemns Iran’s human rights violations
and demands that international human rights inspectors be allowed in
Iran.

Click here for more information on Iran's human rights abuses, and here to sign the petition.